News-Antique.com - Nov 25,2012 - CLOSTER, N.J. – Sterling Associates’ outstanding first year as an auction house is in no small way attributable to owner Stephen D’Atri’s knowledge of the tri-state region, acquired from his many years as a full-time antiques dealer. Estates are D’Atri’s specialty, and six out of every seven days, he’s out on house calls, pursuing the fine and decorative art; furniture and Asian artworks for which his auctions have become well known. On Wednesday, Dec. 5, Sterling Associates will offer the finest estate consignments D’Atri and his team have secured over the past several months in a 400-lot Winter Fine Art & Antiques Auction.

Two large living estates from New Jersey were the sources for much of the merchandise in the sale. One of the consignors is 94 years old and has been a client of D’Atri’s for some 30 years.

“She had always promised that if she moved from her 5,000-square-foot home, we would receive the estate, and she kept her word,” D’Atri said. “She bought antiques over a long period of time from dealers all over the country. I think bidders are going to be very pleased with the selection.”

A second major estate is from a 10,000-sq-ft home in Tenafly, N.J., and contains a wealth of well-chosen traditional antiques. According to D’Atri, the owner moved to Manhattan and decided to switch to “all modern decor” to suit the style of the new residence.

The auction features many superior-quality paintings, led by a circa-1900 Alfred Schwarz (German, 1867-1951) oil on canvas of a woman and many children. Another highlight is an Ernest Chiriacka (American, 1920-2010) oil-on-board depiction of riders on horseback in a snowy landscape. It came from a Long Island estate, together with a few other Chiriacka works and several Old Masters. Signed 'E. Chiriacka,' the 9 1/2 by 7 1/2 inch painting is presented in an ornate, old frame.

Known as a “postage stamp” painting, an 8 by 10 inch Impressionist work by John Fabian Carlson (Swedish/American, 1875-1947) is signed on the front and on verso. “With an estimate of $1,000 to $2,000, it’s a nice entry point for a new collector wanting to build a Hudson River School collection,” said D’Atri.

The auction also includes paintings by Juan Guillermo (Spanish, 1916-1968) and Jonas Joseph La Valley (American, 1858-1930). The latter artist, better known as J.J. La Valley, was a skilled painter and instructor renowned for his floral still lifes.

A wonderful selection of traditional sculptures awaits bidders, with a timeframe that spans the 19th century through the Art Deco period. Artists include Picault, Lambeaux, Moreau, Mengue and Colomera. Among the leading lots in this section are a 27¾-inch-tall Emile Laporte (French, 1858-1907) bronze of a young boy with rooster, and an exceptional Art Nouveau plaque by Henri Fugere (French, 1872-1944).

The magical Tiffany name is expected to attract interest to two lots in particular – a very unusual Tiffany glass mosaic and bronze box, and a circa-1900 Tiffany & Co. sterling silver pitcher with exquisite repousse